Rhonda Robinson Beale, M.D.

Rhonda Robinson Beale, M.D. is the Chief Medical Officer of External Affairs for Optum, a leading service organization of mental health and substance use solutions. As the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robinson Beale focuses on the organization relationship with external organizations, legislation and public policy.

Dr. Robinson Beale has more than 20 years of behavioral health and quality management experience and is an active member of the behavioral health community. She is on the National Institute of Mental Health Advisory Council and sits on NQF MAP committee for dual eligibles. She has been involved with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a surveyor; a member of the Review Oversite Committee (ROC), which makes accreditation decisions; and a member of advisory panels that constructed the initial MBHO and disease management standards. She has also been a member of the board of directors for the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Neuroscience and Behavioral Health and Health Care Services Boards. Dr. Robinson Beale was a member of the committee that produced the groundbreaking reports: “To Err is Human,” and “Crossing the Quality Chasm,” She has been involved in other IOM reports such as “Cancer Care for the Whole Patient” and “Provisions of Mental Health Counseling Services Under TRICARE”.

Dr. Robinson Beale has served on the National Quality Forum Board of Directors as the co-chair for the ‘Evidence-Based Practices to Treat Substance Use Disorders’ Steering Committee. Additionally, Dr. Robinson Beale serves on the Board of Directors for American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association (AMBHA) as well as the Washington Circle Policy where she serves on the policy committee responsible for creating Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) measures for HEDIS.

Before joining Optum, Dr. Robinson Beale was Chief Medical Officer for PacifiCare Behavioral Health. She also served as senior vice president and chief medical officer for CIGNA Behavioral Health, national medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield, executive medical director of medical and care management clinical programs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and senior medical director for behavioral medicine for Health Alliance Plan. She was also a provider in the Detroit community owning and operating a capitated behavioral health practice for over 20 years that serviced over 40k commercial and Medicaid members.

Dr. Robinson Beale received her medical degree from Wayne State University and her psychiatric training at Detroit Psychiatric Institute. She is certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.